Understanding Anger Disorders

Raymond DiGiuseppe and Raymond Chip Tafrate

An overview and analysis of theories, data, and interventions for anger and hostility

Provides a balanced treatment of a range of models of anger and aggression

Understanding Anger Disorders

Raymond DiGiuseppe and Raymond Chip Tafrate

Description

Since classical times, philosophers and physicians have identified anger as a human frailty that can lead to violence and human suffering, but with the development of a modern science of abnormal psychology and mental disorders, it has been written off as merely an emotional symptom and excluded from most accepted systems of psychiatric diagnosis. Yet despite the lack of scientific recognition, anger-related violence is often in the news, and courts are increasingly mandating anger management treatment. It is time for a fresh scientific examination of one of the most fundamental human emotions and what happens when it becomes pathological, and this thorough, persuasive book offers precisely such a probing analysis.

Using both clinical data and a variety of case studies, esteemed anger researchers Raymond DiGiuseppe and Raymond Chip Tafrate argue for a new diagnostic classification, Anger Regulation and Expression Disorder, that will help bring about clinical improvements and increased scientific understanding of anger. After situating anger in both historical and emotional contexts, they report research that supports the existence of several subtypes of the disorder and review treatment outcome studies and new interventions to improve treatment. The first book that fully explores anger as a clinical phenomenon and provides a reliable set of assessment criteria, it represents a major step toward establishing the clear definitions and scientific basis necessary for assessing, diagnosing, and treating anger disorders.

Understanding Anger Disorders

Raymond DiGiuseppe and Raymond Chip Tafrate

Table of Contents

Part I: Theory and Research.1. Anger, The Forgotten Emotion2. Ubiquitous and Intangible: The Problem of Defining Anger3. How Anger Differs From Other EmotionsPart II: Anger and Aggression.4. Theories of Anger and Aggression5. Anger as a Moderator of Violence6. A Proposed Model of the Relationship Between Anger and AggressionPart III: Cognitive and Behavioral Models of Anger.7. Behavioral Models of Anger8. Cognitive Models of AngerPart IV: Anger and Co-morbidity.9. Anger and Axis I Pathology10. Anger and Depression11. Anger and Personality DisordersPart V: Diagnosis of Anger Disorders.12. Objections to Formalizing Anger Disorders13. Functional and Dysfunctional Anger14. Proposed Criteria for Anger Disorder15. Subtypes of Disturbed AngerPart VI: Intervention.16. A Review of the Anger Treatment Outcome Literature: What We Know Works17. Roadblocks to Successful Treatment of Angry Clients18. Preparing Clients for Anger Treatment19. A Comprehensive Model of Anger Treatment20. Epilogue

Understanding Anger Disorders

Raymond DiGiuseppe and Raymond Chip Tafrate

Author Information

Raymond DiGiuseppe is Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychology, St. John's University.

Raymond Chip Tafrate is Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, Central Connecticut State University.